Overview
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and South Korea, the National Arts Council (NAC) Singapore and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) are launching a new exchange project - Creative Connections: A Korea-Singapore Exchange Project. This initiative aims to strengthen cultural and artistic cooperation between the two nations by encouraging arts professionals to forge partnerships with local cultural communities in both countries. Through these collaborations, the project seeks to establish a robust foundation for sustained international cultural exchange.
We invite passionate arts professionals to embark on a 5-month programme to gain industry insights on South Korea's thriving cultural landscape. Participants from Singapore will have the opportunity to network and meet with South Korean participants, with a supportable immersion trip[1] to South Korea to experience arts and culture events and engage with key cultural figures from South Korea. The final report on the topics proposed by participants will be documented as a resource for future arts practitioners seeking to collaborate with South Korea's arts and culture sector.
Programme Objectives
- To develop key insights into South Korea's arts ecosystem
- To establish meaningful connections with South Korean arts institutions and festivals (see Annex_Creative Connections Open Call)
- To document practical knowledge about navigating the cultural sector
- To prepare a comprehensive report as part of documentation that will be publicly accessible
[1] NAC will support an immersion trip to South Korea for up to two weeks. The final travel dates will be arranged by NAC and KOFICE.
Applicants must propose a topic of focus and provide a clear plan on how to approach the topic over the course of this programme. The proposed topic may address certain aspects of the arts ecosystem such as:
- Funding structures and opportunities
- Exhibition and performance venues
- Artist residency programmes
- Cultural policies and regulations
- Professional networks and industry connections
- Cross-cultural collaboration opportunities
- Practical considerations for foreign artists
The following project proposals will not be accepted.
Project proposals that:
a. Are part of school curriculum (e.g. PhD dissertation, school coursework)
b. Do not have a clear arts and research component
c. Are not intended for public consumption
d. Have already commenced prior to the time of application
Duration: 5 months (October 2025 –Feb 2026)
Application period: 11 August – 1 September 2025
Outcome notification: October
Tentative travel dates: late October – 31 December 2025
Publication of report: January-February 2026
Successful applicants will be required to:
- Conduct online and on-site meetings and networking for the purpose of the report
- Conduct interviews and/or meetings with arts professionals in South Korea
- Document observations and insights
- Submit a comprehensive report
- Present findings at a sharing session
NAC reserves the right to review, withdraw, recover or withhold any Funding (in full or in part) in the event the total qualifying cost of the Project indicated in the final budget template submitted to NAC is below the cumulative amount of funding received for the Project from all NAC-administered grants.
This includes funding received from the Tote Board Arts Fund and the stART Fund.
Singaporeans / Permanent Residents who are arts professionals and/or programmers who can commit to travel during the stipulated period and carry out this sector study and documentation to its completion. Priority will be given to arts producers and programmers with strong interest to carry out international projects. Individuals who are not able to travel during the stipulated travel period need not apply.
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the arts sector
- Demonstrated interest in international cultural exchange
- Strong research and writing capabilities
- Ability to work independently
- Excellent documentation and analytical skills
Candidates will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Impact of the study viz international cooperation
- Demonstrates a clear intention to pursue international collaborations
- The proposal is prepared with the idea that it will serve as a foundation or catalyst for such future cross-border engagements
- The study has clear benefits to other arts practitioners in Singapore
- Consider how the findings might inform practices, influence policy, foster collaboration, or provide new models or insights for the local arts ecosystem
Quality of proposal
- Sound research objectives and methodology
- Feasibility of proposal
Capacity to execute project
- Qualifications and track record of applicant
- Has relevant professional experience in the arts and culture sector
- Has experience in conducting and/or participating in similar scoping and study trips to learn about the international arts sector.
Please prepare to upload
- CV highlighting relevant experience and portfolio of recent work (to be submitted in 1 document, maximum 6 pages)
- A write up of your proposal, including project milestones during the programme (up to 6 pages, in Arial, font size 12, 1.5 line spacing)
How to Apply
We are accepting applications from 11 Aug to 1 Sep 2025, 3:00pm (Singapore time: GMT+8). Late applications will not be accepted. The outcome would be announced via email by October 2025.
Submit your application here.
Enquiries
For enquiries, please contact nac_feedback@nac.gov.sg with subject line: [NAC IR – Creative Connections].
A note on Funding Guidelines:
We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and practices. This programme aims to create meaningful documentation that will benefit the broader arts community and strengthen international cultural connections.
While we celebrate diversity of expression and open, balanced dialogue in the arts, as a statutory body disbursing public funds in line with Government policies, the Council will not consider proposals which:
- Advocate or lobby for lifestyles seen as objectionable by the general public
- Denigrate or debase a person, group or class of individuals on the basis of race or religion, or serve to create conflict or misunderstanding in our multicultural and multi-religious society
- Undermine the authority or legitimacy of the government and public institutions, or threaten the nation’s security or stability
- Have a political or religious agenda or proselytise any particular faith, save in accordance with the law